Package Left from Governor Visit Causes Marion Bomb Scare

A member of the Marion and Linn County bomb squad takes pictures of a suspicious package near the caboose in City Square Park in Marion on Friday, July 18, 2014. The bomb squad used their robot to determine the box was safe to open. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

A member of the Marion and Linn County bomb squad takes pictures of the inside of a suspicious package near the caboose in City Square Park in Marion on Friday, July 18, 2014. The bomb squad used their robot to determine the box was safe to open. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

A box which was found near the caboose in City Square Park that resulted in response by the Marion and Linn County bomb squad in Marion on Friday, July 18, 2014. The bomb squad used their robot to determine the box was safe to open. (Stephen Mally/The Gazette-KCRG TV9)

Story Created:
Jul 18, 2014 at 10:55 AM CDT

Story Updated:
Jul 18, 2014 at 11:05 AM CDT

MARION, Iowa- A suspicious package report in Marion that sparked a call to the bomb squad was apparently just a piece of equipment left behind after a politically rally the day before.

Marion Police got a call about a suspicious package see underneath the caboose in Marion’s City Square Park along Seventh Avenue. That was just after 8:00 o’clock Friday morning.

The Linn County bomb square responded and within 20 minutes determined the package was no threat.

Marion Police discovered it was actually a piece of some audio equipment left after the political rally with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad Thursday afternoon. That rally took place outside a restaurant across the street from the park caboose.

One police commander said some wires dangling from the package initially made it appear suspicious. Some Marion streets were blocked for about an hour and a half while the officers investigated the package.